Jakarta, 14 June 2023 (TDI): The outgoing Permanent Representative of Singapore to ASEAN, Ambassador Kok Li Peng, paid a heartfelt farewell call on the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, at the ASEAN Secretariat today.
The meeting served as an opportunity to reflect on the deepening of bilateral relations between Singapore and ASEAN, highlighting Singapore’s unwavering commitment to the regional bloc.
During the meeting, Ambassador Kok expressed her profound gratitude to Secretary-General Dr. Kao for his steadfast leadership and invaluable contributions to ASEAN’s progress and development.
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Ambassador Kok also took the opportunity to underscore Singapore’s unwavering commitment to ASEAN’s collective goals and aspirations. She reiterated Singapore’s dedication to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia through active engagement, collaboration, and the sharing of best practices among member states.
Both Ambassador Kok and Secretary-General Dr. Kao expressed their confidence in the continued strengthening of the close and cordial relations between Singapore and ASEAN in the years to come. As Singapore bids farewell to Ambassador Kok, the nation remains firmly committed to playing an active and constructive role in advancing ASEAN’s regional cooperation and integration.
Singapore plays a pivotal role in ASEAN as a key member and advocate for regional integration, economic development, and stability. Known for its strategic location and strong economic prowess, Singapore actively contributes to ASEAN’s agenda by promoting open trade, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, and facilitating dialogue among member states.
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Singapore’s commitment to ASEAN centrality, cooperation, and consensus-building helps shape regional policies and initiatives. Additionally, Singapore actively engages in ASEAN-led initiatives, such as the ASEAN Economic Community and ASEAN Smart Cities Network, to enhance connectivity, sustainability, and resilience across the region.
Noticeably, under Singapore’s Coordinator ship, the EU was granted the status of Strategic Partnership with ASEAN in 2020 and the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership was established in 2022.
